As parents, we often strive to provide the best opportunities for our children to thrive and succeed. When it comes to raising a child with autism, understanding how to foster their high order thinking skills is quite important in helping them reach their full potential. High order thinking skills encompass critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and decision-making – all essential abilities for navigating the complexities of the world.

Many parents have approached me with questions about High-Order Thinking Skills (HOTS), seeking clarity on what it entails and how to nurture it in their children. They wonder what materials are necessary to teach HOTS and where to access them. In response, I am writing this blog to demystify HOTS and provide a comprehensive understanding of this vital skillset, making it accessible to everyone.

For parents who may not be familiar with the concept, high order thinking skills go beyond simple memorization or rote learning. Instead, they involve the ability to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information to form new ideas and solutions. In children with autism, developing these skills may require a tailored approach that takes into account their unique strengths and challenges.

Here are some simple strategies required for teaching high order thinking skills to children:
1. Encourage Curiosity: Foster a sense of wonder, exploration and curiosity in your child by exposing them to a variety of experiences and stimuli. Talk to them, listen to them patiently. Encourage them to ask questions and explore new ideas.

2. Provide Opportunities for Problem-Solving: Present your child with age-appropriate puzzles, games, and challenges that require them to think critically and find solutions. Stop hand holding everywhere and easing out things for them everytime. Start with tasks that match their current abilities, up their level and gradually increase the complexity as they progress.

3. Promote Creativity: Engage your child in creative activities such as drawing, painting, Journaling, storytelling, or imaginative play. These activities not only encourage self-expression but also stimulate creative thinking and problem-solving skills.

4. Use Visual Supports: Many autistic children are visual learners, so incorporating visual supports such as pictures, diagrams, or visual schedules can help them better understand and process information. This would help them organize their thoughts, and analyse things better.

6. Break Tasks into Manageable Steps: Complex tasks can be overwhelming for autistic children, so break them down into smaller, more manageable steps. Provide clear instructions and offer support as needed to help them succeed.

7. Encourage Flexibility: Flexibility is a key aspect of high order thinking skills. Encourage your child to consider multiple perspectives and explore alternative solutions to problems.

8. Celebrate Mistakes: Help your child see mistakes as opportunities for learning and growth rather than failures. Encourage them to persevere, problem-solve, and learn from their experiences.

9. Provide Positive Reinforcement: Praise your child’s efforts and achievements, no matter how small. Positive reinforcement can help build their confidence and motivation to continue developing their high order thinking skills.

Now, I am sharing some resources and website links for activities to develop high-order thinking skills in children

1. Critical Thinking Activities:
    ●- MindTools: Critical Thinking Exercises www.mindtools.com
    ●-Sago Mini world: Critical Thinking Activities for Kids www.sagominiworld.com

2. Problem-Solving Games:
   ● – BrainPOP: Problem-Solving Games www.brainpop.com
   ●- The IET: STEM Games for Kids www.education.theiet.org

3. Creative Thinking Exercises:
   ● – Art Projects for Kids https://artprojectsforkids.org/
   ● – Connections Academy: Creative Thinking Activities for Children https://www.connectionsacademy.com/support/resources/article/online-and-offline-ways-to-foster-creative-thinking-skills-in-your-child/

4. Logic and Reasoning Puzzles:
   ● –CueMaths: Logic Puzzles for Kids – https://www.cuemath.com/math-puzzles/logic-puzzles/ ,●-Logiclike: www.logiclike.com
    ●- Mentalup: Reasoning Games for Children https://www.mentalup.co/blog/critical-thinking-games-for-kids

5. Critical Reading and Writing:
    ●-K5 learning-Reading Comprehension Activities  https://www.k5learning.com/reading-comprehension-worksheets ●-Splashlearn : Reading Comprehension Activities – https://www.splashlearn.com/blog/reading-comprehension-activities-for-kids/  ●-Education.com Education.com : Reading Comprehension Activities 
●- Thinkwritten-Writing Prompts for Kids https://thinkwritten.com/writing-prompts-for-kids/

6. Science and Math Inquiry:
    ●- Science for Everyone: Science Experiments for Kids – https://www.sciencefun.org/kidszone/experiments/top-science-experiments-for-kids/
    ●- Mathletics.com : Math Inquiry Activities –  www.mathletics.com

7. Debate and Discussion:
    ●- Clickvieweducation.com – Debate Topics for Kids https://www.clickvieweducation.com/blog/teaching-ideas/debate-topics-for-kids
    ●- Purewow.com – Discussion Starters for Children – https://www.purewow.com/family/conversation-starters-for-kids

8. Role-Playing and Simulation:
    ●- PlaylikeMum.com- Role-Playing Activities for Kids https://www.playlikemum.com/10-role-play-ideas-for-kids/ ●- K8school.com https://k8school.com/role-play-activities-to-ignite-creativity-in-kids/
   ●- Common Sense Media – Simulation Games for Children – https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/simulation-games-and-apps

9. Reflection and Metacognition:
   ●- The OT toolbox – Reflection Activities for Kids https://www.theottoolbox.com/self-reflection-activities-for-kids/ , ●-Education Rickshaw– https://educationrickshaw.com/2017/10/26/5-reflection-activities-to-help-students-glow-and-grow/
    ●- Thinking Matters– Metacognition Strategies for Children – www.thinkingmatters.com , ●-Third space learning : https://thirdspacelearning.com/blog/metacognitive-strategies-using-them-at-home/

10. Online Resources:
   ● – Khan Academy Kids : https://learn.khanacademy.org/khan-academy-kids/
   ●- National Geographic Kids : https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/

By incorporating the above mentioned strategies and these useful links and  resources into your teaching approach, you can help nurture the high order thinking skills of your child and empower them to navigate the world with confidence and independence. Remember to be patient, supportive, and flexible, and celebrate each step of their journey towards reaching their full potential.

In my next blog I will discuss very easy to do and simple home-based activities for High-Order Thinking Skills.

Author Shilpi Mayank Awasthi, Founder of specialsaathi.com